Collier County moves to block AI data centers before they arrive

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)— Collier County leaders are taking preemptive action against potential AI data centers, even though no large-scale facilities are currently planned for the area.

At Tuesday's Collier County Commissioners' meeting, an unexpected topic dominated public comment. Several speakers urged county leaders to put a one-year moratorium in place for data centers.

Data centers were not on the agenda, but Commissioner William McDaniel wanted to start a conversation. The current regulations on data centers in Collier County were created nearly 40 years ago.

"A version of 1987, these mega-centers were never contemplated then," McDaniel said.

County leaders say current regulations would not prevent an AI data center from being built in the county, prompting them to act now.

County leaders say they have not been approached by anyone trying to build a large-scale data center.

However, Commissioner Burt Saunders expressed concern about being caught off guard.

"We don't want to have to worry about someone popping up tomorrow with an application," Saunders said.

The board stopped short of implementing a one-year moratorium. Instead, the county attorney suggested declaring what's called a “zoning in progress,” which would allow the county to deny applications for data centers until details are figured out.

Dr. Kate Stoll with the American Association for the Advancement of Science says local leaders across the country are trying to figure out how to handle an oncoming data center boom.

"State and local leaders are balancing the pros and the cons of data center growth, which, as we know, is moving really fast these days," Stoll said.

The county attorney will present that plan to commissioners at their next meeting on July 28. WINK News will continue following this story for the latest developments.